Permeable Capsule

ABSTRACT

This invention designed a Permeable Capsule to make the traditional pavements such as asphalt, concrete, stone pavers to become permeable to stormwater. Permeable Capsule reduces water pollution and replenishes groundwater in paved areas. Permeable Capsule allows traditional asphalt, concrete, as well as block-pavers (existing or new) surfaces to become permeable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional pavements for roads, parking lots, walkways are imperviouse.In most cases, stormwater runs off the pavements to rivers or lakesthrough stormwater sewer systems. The runoff stormwater bypasses theecological process of soil infiltration and groundwater recharge andbrings pollutants to rivers and lakes directly. People have developedpermeable asphalt, permeable concrete, and permeable pavers systems toaddress this issue. Permeable asphalt and concrete paving are based onthe idea of building porous paved layers such that stormwater canpercolate through to the soil below. Permeable pavers use open joints toallow stormwater to drain through to the soil below. All three permeablepavements have their advantages and disadvantages. The author of thisinvention presents a new permeable solution to paved surfaces ofasphalt, concrete, and pavers: Permeable Capsule. Permeable Capsule canbe used for new pavements or used onto existing pavements' conversionsto permeable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention designed Permeable Capsule to be used with traditionalimperviouse pavements such as asphalt, concrete, and pavers. PermeableCapsules are installed (or embedded) on the pavements in a certainpattern. Stormwater flows into nearby Permeable Capsules and thusinfiltrates into the soils below the pavements. A Permeable Capsuleconsists of open ended Side Wall (round, rectangle, or any other shapesthat is strong enough to carry the traffic weights), Cap Grid, mulches(or similar materials that prevent the water evaporation from thesoils), and Bottom Grid Cap Grid on top of Permeable Capsule levels withthe surface the pavements. The bottom of the Permeable Capsule goesbelow the pavements. Permeable Capsules that are spread through out thepavements collect stormwater on paved surface and channel stormwater tosoils under the pavements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows the structure and parts of a round Permeable Capsule.

FIG. 1B shows an assembled round Permeable Capsule.

FIG. 2A shows the structure and parts of a rectangular PermeableCapsule.

FIG. 2B shows an assembled rectangular Permeable Capsule.

FIG. 3 shows the cross section of a round Permeable Capsule.

FIG. 4 shows the cross section of a rectangular Permeable Capsule.

FIG. 5 is an example of installation of a round Permeable Capsule on anAsphalt surface.

FIG. 6 is an example of installation of a rectangular Permeable Capsuleon brick paver paved surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. The Physical Structure

The invented Permeable Capsule consists of units (or modules) asfollows:

(a) Grid Cap (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)

Grid Cap allows stormwater to flow into Permeable Capsule and blocks outthe big-size trashes. Grid caps are made of plastics or plastic-woodcomposite materials.

(b) Bottom Grid (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is located below the Grid Cap. Watercan flow freely through the Bottom Grid. Bottom Grids are made ofplastics or plastic wood composite materials.

(c) Side Wall (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is open at the top and bottom. SideWall can take any shapes such as round in FIG. 1 and rectangular in FIG.2.

(d) The mulch space is the space that is under the Grid Cap and abovethe Bottom Grid and within the Side Wall. The mulch space is filled withpermeable materials such as wood mulch, rocks, rubber mulch, etc.

2. Operation of the Invented Permeable Capsule

Permeable Capsules are to be used on paved surfaces of highways, parkinglots, and walkways. Permeable Capsules make these paved surfaces tobecome permeable. Here is how Permeable Capsule operates:

(a) The surfaces of Grid Caps (FIGS. 1 and 2) are at the same level withpaved surface (or a little lower, say 1 mm). Many Permeable Capsules areinstalled on the paved surface.

(b) When stormwater flows to the Grid Caps, it flows into PermeableCapsules.

(c) The water goes through the mulches, Bottom Grid, and bottom sectionof the Side Wall. The mulches seal water vapors below and prevent waterlosses from underground.

(d) Stormwater infiltrates into the soils.

(e) The height of Permeable Capsules can be adjusted to reach differentlevels of the pavements.

CROSS-REFERENCES FOR THE INVENTION OF PERMEABLE CAPSULE

There are no other patents that are close or similar to this inventionfrom the US Patent search by this inventor.

1. This invention designed permeable capsule to be used on asphalt,concrete, and block pavers paved surface to allow stormwater toinfiltrate into the grounds under such paved surfaces.
 2. According toclaim 1, Permeable Capsule consists of Grid Cap, Mulches, Bottom Grid,and Side Wall.
 3. According to claim 2, Permeable Capsule can takevarious shapes and heights according to the needs. FIGS. 1 and 2 are twoexamples of round and rectangular forms of Permeable Capsules. 4.According to claim 2, Grid Cap filters out large objects such as leaves,papers, etc. and allows stormwater to flow into Permeable Capsule. GridCap can be made of materials such as plastics, wood-plastics composites,metals, and etc.
 5. According to claim 2, the mulches that are underGrid Cap and on top of Bottom Grid allow stormwater to flow through. Themulches can be any of these materials as follows: wood chips (mulch),recycled rubber tire chips, rocks, and etc.
 6. According to claims 2 and5, the Bottom Grid holds mulches and allows stormwater to flow through.Bottom Grid can be made of materials such as plastics, wood-plasticscomposites, metals, and etc.
 7. According to claims 2, 5, and 6, BottomGrid can be mounted on the Side Wall or onto Grid Cap.
 8. According toclaims 2, 5, 6, and 7, Bottom Grid may not be used and to let mulches tosit on to the ground soil directly.
 9. According to claim 2, the bottomof Permeable Capsule is open and allows stormwater to go to andinfiltrate through the soils.
 10. According to claim 2, Side Wall can bemade of plastics, wood-plastic composites, metals, concrete, and etc.